PEABODY — The class of 2014 at Peabody High has donated $1,000 to the school’s Student Health Center, to support mental health services.

Matthew Mogavero, co-resident of the class, said in an email that the class did not make a gift at graduation, but recently made the decision to make one to the health center, which is open to students at the high school when school is in session.

The center, operated by North Shore Community Health, provides medical services such as immunizations, urgent care visits, physicals and sports physicals, as well as mental health services, including counseling, individual therapy, group therapy, help with stopping drug or alcohol use, and stress management.

“The class officers polled some members of our class, and the overwhelming consensus was that our peers wanted these funds to go toward mental health services at the high school,” Mogavero said . He said many recent graduates are alarmed about the rising rates of suicide and mental illness among young people in the United States.

“This gift has prompted conversations between us graduates of how we felt we had so little support in high school when it came to mental health and self-care,” he said. “The stigma of mental illness and lack of supportive resources has led to many youth suffering in silence. We must stop that stigma and inaction.”

The Student Health Center opened to treat students at Peabody High in the spring of 2015, after Mogavero’s class had graduated.

Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673, by email at eforman@salemnews.com or on Twitter at @TannerSalemNews.